Reclining article of furniture



Nov. 27, 1951 A. LORENZ 2,576,465

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Dec. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l TZ74 F- 24 5- INVENTOR is ATTORNEY ANTON LORENZ Nov. 27, 1951 A. LORENZ2,576,465

RECLINING ARTICLE 01 FURNITURE Filed Dec. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Shea} 2INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1951 A. LORENZ RECLININGARTICLE OF FURNITURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 29, 1945 INVENTOR ANTONLORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1951 A, LORENZ 2,576,465

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Dec.- 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTO ANTON LORENZ BYWZ HIS ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED PATor Fl (2 E;

RE CLININGTARTICLELOF FURNITURE l Anton Lorenz, Buffalo,- NZ-Y.ApplicationwDecember 29, 1'945,-.SerialNo. 637,936

l'l Glaims': (01; 155 106) This invention relates to an article offurniture; andmore' particularly, to a recliningarticle of furniture;wherein the back-rest'a'nd seat form movable members of J a polygonallinkesystem swingably mounted on a support'and whereinthje movements or"the members of'fsaid polygonal linksystem are'positively controlledby a;guiding link pivotedto. thesupport and operatively' connected withamember of the polygonal'ilink-svstem.

An' objectof "the present'invention is to provide aiconvenient'controllingf mechanism for a legrest swingably, mounted on" the seato'fai recliningfarticle of furniture of above described type; by

means of which the, angle between the" legjj-trest andthe seat isautomatically alterediindep'endence on the movements of v theguiding'link when" the movable members"oftliereclining article offurniture including" the b'a'cli re'st' and theseat are" brought from. acertain position, suchta's the sittinggiposition, v into anotherposition; such as a reclined position, or'vice vers'a'.

A further obj ect of l the present" invention is to equip a. recliningarticle of furnitureioi, above described type witha"acontrollinggrnechanism for the leg-restf which may, cause a' movement'of'itlie leg-restrelativeto the seat," when th'eIp sitionLOf thepolygonal 'link system is alteredQ which; however; doesnotiform' apositive connectionibetween the leg-rest andth'e'controllingmebhanismiand permits an independent movement of 'Ith'e.l gerest relative to the seat, when the members; ofJ-I'the polygonallink-system are 'held in a certain 'position'relative to each other.

Still 'T another obj ect of thecpresentlinvention, is to. provide ,asupport 'foria recliningtarticle,ofliiirniture of abovedscribedftypepwhich rendersrthe controlling mechanism for the leg-rest.invisible when the members of thearticle oflfurnituresare in thesittingposition, and which permits a=ready mounting; of. the elementstofisaidl.controlling mechanism. swingably arranged on r the support. A furtherobject of the 'presentinvention isto improve on reclining articlesoffurniture. ofiabove described typewas now. ordinarily: made With theabove and otherobjects of. theeinvention in. view, ,the. inventionconsists .;in.. the": novel construction, arrangement and, combinationof various-devices, elements and parts. as set' forth in 'theclaimslhereofj certain embodiments-dot -the same being described in, thespecificationand being illustrated in the accompanying drawings formingpartnof this specification, wherein:

Fig, a. side elevational view oft areclining chaise .longueequippedIwitha -contiollingmechanism for the leg-rest. according-lo"the' invention.

Fig. a fragmentary perspective view. of "a part ofthe-controllingmechanism for the leg'j-rest of thechaise longue shown inFig, 1;

Fig.3. is a sectional View of the lockingjdevi'ce offtlie vchaise'longueshown inFig. 1, taken o'niline 3'3 of-cFi'g. 1;,

Fig. 41-15 a side. elevational'view ofa reclining chair equipped withanother, embodiment ofa controllingjm'echanism of the leg-rest,according to. the invention,

Fig. 5? isya side elevational 'view of another emb'odime'ntof a reclininchair according" to the invention, a, portion of. a side wall" being.broken away sovasuto illustrate the controllingjm'e'ch'anism for theleek-rest;

Fig; dis a fragmentary view o'f'an' adjustable portion of thecontrolling; mechanism for tiieiegrest of thechair shown in Fig, 5,saidview being taken'on 1ine66"'of Fig; 5;.

Fig. 7 is a perspective viewof the supportof the'chair shown inFig. 5with a portion of the controlling mechanism of 'the legr'r'est mountedtherein;

/ Fig, 8 isa fragmentarvview otasaftvdevice for holdingthe swingab'leportion of *the con'trollinggmechanism for the leg-rest in positioninthesupport shown in Fig. '7,

Fig; 9 is aisid'e 'elevational view'of stillianother embodiment of areclining chair iac'cor'dingigt'o the 0 invention,

Fig? 10 :is a side elevational view of" a .foldab'le and convertiblereclining,chaiseilongue; according tothet invention equipped withadifferent" embodiment of a controlling mechanism for the p leg-rest;

Fig; 11 is a side elevationalview'ofa reclining wheel chair accordingvto" the 'inventioniequipped withanother"embodimentof a: controllingmeclianism"for thelgrrest'.

? Fig, 12 is a" fragmentary side elevational view ofvthe holdingdevice'fortheleg -rest 'of the wheel ch'aiifishown in Fig, 11; onanjenlargedscal'ej,

Fig. 13'is aisectional View of the holding dvice taken on linel 3"l 3ofFigj. 12;

Eigsi14+l6 are pe'rspective ,viewsfoffthreedifi'erent'embodir'nents of"a controlling unitoftli'e chair shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and.

Fig 17 is.a fragmentar sideelevationalfview of the front'portion .of achair accordingjt'ojtheiinvention illustrating. a difierent. embodiment"of the controlling. mechanism forv thelegA-r'est. i

Referring now to Fig, c1,V2il"genera1ly. indicates the support ofian"article of ifurniture 7 Known .in the trade as achaise' longue onloungett. The

fist-support madeuofutubul'ar material is reiniorced'by L front portionof the seat 28 at 48.

o 2. lug 58 mounted on the leg-rest 46. 'scopic controlling link 52comprises the telethe bracing members 22 of tubular material. The chaiselongue may be moved along the ground by means of wheel 24 j ournalledinsuitable bearings arranged at the rear portion of the support 20.

26 generally indicates a back-rest and 28 indicates a seat, the rear endof which is pivoted to said back-rest and the support 28 at 30. Alinkmechanism including a pair of connecting links 32 and 34 is arrangedon each side of the chaise longue. The connecting link 32 of said pairof connecting links may be called a top connecting link, which form anarm-rest, the connecting link 34 of said pair of connecting links willbe designated hereinafter as a front connecting link. The top connectinglink 32 and the front connecting link 34 are pivotally connected witheach other at 36. The rear end of each top connecting link is pivoted at38 to an intermediate point of the back-rest 26 above the seat 28. Thelower lend of each front connecting link 34 is pivoted "to the frontportion of the seat 28 at 40.

The pivotally interconnected back-rest 26, seat 28,

and link mechanism 34, 32 form the movable members of a constrainedkinematic polygonal link-system in the shape of a quadrilaterallinksystem, which is swingably mounted on the support 28 at the pivotpoint between the backrest 26 and the seat 28 for movement about a'single axis. A guiding link 42 is arranged on v each side of the chaiselongue for controlling the movements of the movable members 26, 28, 34,32

of the quadrilateral link-system. The lower end of each guiding link 42is rigidly connected with a transverse rod 44 (see Figs. 1 and 2)journalled in suitable bearings of the support 20. The upper end of eachguiding link 42 is pivotally connected According to Fig. 1, the seat 28rests on one of the bracing members 22 of the support 20 when itoccupies its horizontal sitting position shown in full lines.

A leg-rest 46 is pivotally connected with the a controlling element orcontrolling bar 50 is positively connected with the guiding link 42 by arigid connection with the rotatable transverse rod 44, so that saidcontrolling bar 50'will'be The other end of said telescopic controllinglink 52 is pivoted at 56 to The telescopically arranged members 60 and62, and the efiective length of the telescopic controlling link element50 positively connected with the guiding link 42 and operativelyconnected with the legrest 46 through the medium of the controlling Oneend of 4 a movement of the movable members of the polygonal link-systemcontrolled by the guiding link being moved from the position 42 into theposition 42, the leg-rest is brought from the position 46 into theposition 46' by means of the controlling bar 50 and controlling link 52.

The back-rest, seat, and leg-rest may be held in any desired position,for example in the extreme reclined position 26', 28', 46', or in anyother intermediate reclined position by means of a locking devicegenerally indicated by 68 and arranged on the pivot 38 connecting thetop connecting link 32 with the back-rest 26. As best shown in Figs. 1and 3, said locking device 68 comprises a handle I0 screwed on thethreaded end of the pivot 38. Said pivot 38 has a head I2 restingagainst the surface of the back-rest 26. A square portion I4 of thepivot 38 is inserted into a corresponding square aperture of theback-rest 26, whereby the pivot 38 is prevented from rotation. When theuser of the chaise longue loosens the locking handle I0, the surface ofthe hub I6 of said handle is disengaged from the surface of the topconnecting link 32, so that the movable members of the chaise longue maybe freely moved from one position into another one. When the lockinghandle i0 is tightened, the surface of the hub of the handle is pressedagainst the top connecting link 32, whereby the latter is pressedagainst the backrest 26 engaged with the head I2 of the pivot 38, sothat the members of the chaise longue are held in their position. Ofcourse, any other type of locking device may be used instead of saidlocking device 68, if desired.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable to change the position ofthe leg-rest 46 relative to the position of the seat 28. For example, itmay be desirable to bring the leg-rest 46 into the position 46" inalignment with the seat 28, when the latter is in the sitting position,For this purpose, the effective length of the telescopic controllinglink 52 is enlarged, so that the telescopic controlling link occupiesthe position 52". When said enlarged length of the controlling link isfixed by the set screw 64, and when the movable back-rest and seat ofthe lounget are moved into the extreme reclined position 26, 28', thelegchair shown in Fig. 4, the quadrilateral link-systern I26, I28, I34,I32 is swing-ably mounted on lugs I18 of the support I20 at I30. Themovements of said quadrilateral link-system are controlled by a guidinglink I42 pivoted to a lug I80 of the support I20 at I44 and pivoted tothe top connecting link I32 at I31. The controlling element orcontrolling bar I50 arranged for the controlling of the leg-rest I46swingably mounted at I48 on the seat I28 is integral with the guidlink52 controls the movements of the leg-rest 46 in dependence on themovements of the guiding link 42.

When the occupant resting in the chaise longue leans the weight of hisbody against the back-rest, the movable members of the polygonallinksystem are brought into a reclined positionshown in dash and dotlines in Fig. 1, wherein the backrest and the seat are in the position26 and 28' respectively. Said extreme reclined position is limited by astop 66 mounted on the supportiil for cooperation with the back-rest.During such ing link I 42 and may be considered as a lower extension ofthe latter. Of course, the positive connection'between the controllingbar I50 and the guiding link I42 could also be formed by a ,rigidconnection of two separate elements by means of screws.

One end of the controlling link be brought from the sitting positionshown in full lines and limited by the transverse rod I22 of the supportI20 into the extreme reclined position awoke-t shown in dashandido'tline's:andilfinite'd by the stop,I66 of the support I20? Themovab'le'members, of the chair may: be held in" anydesired position by meansofthlocking device 'I68corresponding to the locking device shown in Fig; 3'.

The top connecting"link"l32i the-frontconnecting link I34; the guidinglink I42; the"leg'- rest I46; the controllingbar' I58; and thecontrolling link I52'lareprovided with'series of holes I82. Each of'thepivots I36; I31; I405 I44; I54, I56 may be selectively. engagedwith-oneofsaid ho1es I82, wherebymthe efiective length of the variousmembers of'thech'airmay beialtered-for a. different arrangement of *someofthei members offthe chair relative; to .eachfothei' andfor difir=ent'relative movements 'betweensomeof the men'rbers of the chair.

Accordingtothe embodimentshown' iniie; 5, the. supportisin the shape off'acasin'g generally indi'oatedby 226. Said"casinggcomprises the sidewalls 22! and223 and the front 'wall1225 an'd'the rear wall 221 (seeFigs. 5 and'l).

The rear end'of theseat228' is. pivoted to'the 'support'228' at 238,and'thelowerend'of' the backrest 226" is pivotedto saidsupport atthepoint 23.Ispaced from the pivotal-connection 230' between the. seatandthe' support"; On each side of'the chair, the rear end'ofthe'topconnecting link 232 is pivoted toan' intermediate'point ofthe back-rest226' at 238; The other' end' of said top connecting .link 232"ispivoted'at235i to one end of an intermediate connectinglink' 284. Theother endof, said intermediate:connectinglink 284 is pivotedLat238 totheupper end of the'front connecting-link 234; the lower end of "whichis pivotedto the seat'228' at1240; Thus; themovable back -Test. 226, themovable link-mechanism 232, 284; 234; the'movable seat228and thestationary portion of the support 228"betWeen' the. pivotal connections238 and23I of theseat228' andthe back-rest 226 with the support22.0'form the members. of a hexagonal link-system. Onea'ch side of the.chair the guiding .link '2421'isintegra1 with the intermediateconnecting link 284, whereby the guidingxlink is'operativelyconnected-at'its upper endwith said intermediate connectingglink; Ifdesired, the guiding. link and'.the intermediate connecting link could'be'in the shape: of two separate members rigidly connected'with eachother by screws or the like. The lower. end ofeach guiding .link 242isrigidly secured'to atransverse rod 244 rotatably arrangedinrecessesi286of the walls 22I and 223.of.the.support2.201(see Figs. 7

ands). Therecesses 286 are open at the top and the transverse. rod. 244isheld in it's-position by meansof safety members 288'attached to theside wallsof the support 22Dfb'y screws. One end. of a..controlling--element or. controlling. bar. 250" is rigidly secured towthettransverse'rod12.44; sothat the. two guide bars. 242, the. transverse rod 244,

and the controlling bar'250 form aunit generally The. controlling link252 ;passes.thr.o.ugh a slot .296.

in the front wan 2251:: the support 220.

The sitting positionof the members of the chairshown in fulili-nesdmFigs5* is limited 'by the upper edge of' the support 2-2 fl onwhich the seat228 comes to a rest.

When the bach-rest-ZZ 6 is swung abQut' -its-piV- ot' 231; the bac-krest seat; andleg-rest mawbe brought into the extreme' reclinedpositionv 22 6 228; 2fi6"-limited by anabutment of the'back restagainst-the-stop 266 r The movab1e-*members-'- of the-"chair may beheldmany desired position by means= of the lockingdevice- 2685 Asmentioned above the adjusting 2'9Il is' swingable-a-bout the=pivot=292If the back rest a'ndseat'are-held in a predetermined' position,forexample the sitting position shown in' full lines inFigr 5', by meansof'-the =locking device 2 68; theleg rest'Z le may beswung' by handabout its pi-vet 248 into the position" 246'"; wherein' the controllinglink and'the adjusting -barare in the positions 252- 'and' 290 inalignment with each other.- Now, when'a slight pressure is exerted onthe-leg-rest', forexample by the legs of-i the occupant'restingin thechair, thecontro1linglink and the adjusting bar are moved slightlybeyond said straight'line; until astop 298 secured to the adjusting bar290 by screws abuts-against'the controlling link, wherebysaid'elementsare loc-ked and held in a predetermined position=relative--to each other.

As will bereadily-understood; the support-220 is of such aconstruction,- that the controlling mechanism 250, 298', 252-for thelg'restlis invisible, when the 7 members of the chair 'arein th'e sittingposition. Furthermore, the construction of 1 the support' permits aneasy mounting 'of 'the controlling mechanism. The controlling uni-t2-I 0may be mounted 'on'the support 'Ha low-inserting its transverse ro'd244from above-intothereeesses 286 :open at-the top. whereupon'the safetyelements 283- areattached-to the support' 220-- for holding 'saidcontrolling unit in its place;-

Fig. 14 illustrates a-=difi erent'embodimentof a controlling unit 2'l6b; which'maybesubstituted for the controllingunit 2 IIJ in the mechanism of the reclining chair'showniii-Figs. 5-- and7i According to Fig.14; the control-lingunitZIflb-comprises a U-shapedmember 21 lb}The-*basewf said U-shaped' 'member 2 I lb" forms atransverse rod 7 forswingablemounting inthe" recesses" 286 ofthe support-226 The-arms-cfsaid U-shaped member'form theguiding' links; To controlling bars250b arerigidly secured to the base of the U-shaped member '2 Iiib. Of course,when'sucha controlli'ngunit ZIIJbwith two arms 25% is used,

two controllingjlinks are interposed between said Furthermore, the frontwall 225'ofthesupport' may" be provided with" two slots "for the.passage of "said" two con v trolling bars and j said two controllinglinks insteadof 'with'oneslot asshownin the drawings.

Fig. 15 illustrates'another embodiment'of such acontrolling unit for.swingable: mounting inv a support, whichimay housed in the mechanism'ofthe chair shownin Figs. 5. and .7. The controlling unit. 2 I fl'cshownin"Fig'...15'.'comprises three. members 2890,21 Ic, and2'l 3e rigidly.connected with each other byjrivets 2 I2cor the'like. S'aidmemb'ers2690, 2ll'c, and 2.l3c,are shaped. in such-a .way, that they form theguiding link's'. and two controlling arms:

7 Likewise, the controlling; unit 2'I0dfshown in Fig. .16 maybe'swingablyimounted' in the support of the chair. shown in Figs.- 5f'ancl1'71 Th'econtrolling unit 210d is composed of "two" members 209d; 2 l3drigidly connected by rivets 212d or the like. Said members are shaped insuch a way, that they form the guiding links and a single controllingarm.

According to the embodiment of a reclinin chair shown in Fig. 9 the rearend of the seat 328 is pivoted at 330 to a support 320 in the shape of acasing. The lower end of the back-rest 326 is pivoted to said support.320 at the point 33! spaced from the pivotal connection 330 between theseat and the support. The rear end of the top connecting link 332 ispivoted to an intermediate point of the back-rest 326 at 338. The otherend of said top connecting link 332 is pivoted to the upper ends of thefront connecting link 334 at 336. The lower end of said front connectinglink 334 is pivoted to the seat 328 at 340. Thus, the movable back-rest326, the movable link-mechanism 332, 334, the movable seat .328 and thestationary portion of the support 320 between the pivotal connections330 and 33l of the seat 328 and the back-rest 326 with the support 320form the members of a quinquelateral link-system. The upper end of aguiding link 342 is pivoted to the top connecting link 332 at 331, andthe lower end of said guiding link 342 is pivoted to the support 320 at344. The controlling bar 350 being integral with the guiding link 342participates in any movement of the latter.

The leg-rest 346 swingably mounted at 348 on the seat 328 has anextension 300 projecting upwardly beyond the pivot 348. One end of thecontrolling link 352 is pivoted to the controlling bar 350 at 354, theother end of said controlling link 352 is pivoted to the extension 300of the leg-rest 346 at 351.

The guiding link 342 controls the movements of the movable members 326,328, 334, 332 of the polygonal link-system in the shape of aquinquelateral link-system, and furthermore said guiding link 342controls the movements of the leg-rest 346 through the medium of thecontrolling bar 350 and the controlling link 352.

The sitting position shown in full lines is limited by the upper edge ofthe support 32 0, and the extreme reclined position shown in dash anddot lines is limited by the stop 366. The movable members of the chairmay be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 368.

Fig. 10 illustrates a chaise lounge with a polygonal link-system orquadilateral link-system of the type shown in Fig. 1. The seat 428 ispivoted to the back-rest 426 and lugs 418 of the support 420 at 430. Theupper end of the guiding link 442 is pivoted to the top connecting link432 and the front connecting link 434 at 436. The rear end of the topconnecting link 432 is pivoted to the back-rest 426 at 438, the lowerend of the front connecting link 434 is pivoted to the seat at 440. Thelower end of the guiding link is pivoted to the support 420 at 444.

One end of the controlling element 450 is rigidly connected with theguiding link 442 for a simultaneous movement with the latter. other endof said controlling element 450 bears a roller 402 for shiftableengagement with the leg-rest 446 swingably mounted on the seat 428 atchaise lounge shown in full lines is limited by a an engagement of theseat 428 with the. support.

The

connected with the guiding link 542 for simultaneous movement with thelatter.

the surface of the support 420.

V manner.

420, and the extreme. reclined positionof the members of the chaiselounge shown in dash and dot lines is limited by a stop 461 mounted onthe support for engagement with the guiding link 442. r

The members of the chaise lounge may be held in any desired position bymeans of a locking device 468 mounted on the pivot 440. The lockingdevice 468 may be of the type shown in Fig. 3.

When the members of the chaise lounge are moved from one position intoanother one, the roller 402 of the controlling element 450 swungtogether with the guiding link 442 rolls along the surface of theleg-rest 446 and controls the movements of the latter, so that theleg-rest is, for example, in the position 446' when the back-rest andthe seat are in the extreme reclined position 426' and 468'respectively.

Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to have the leg-rest ina different position relative to the seat when the latter is in areclined position. For example it may be desirable to have the leg-restin the position 446" when the seat is in the extreme reclined position428'. For this purpose, the controlling element 450 is of the telescopictype, and when the length of the telescopic controlling element 450 isset for having the roller in the position 402 when the members of thechair are in the sitting position, the leg-rest will be brought into theposition 446" in alignment with the seat, when the latter is in itsextreme reclined position 428'.

Of course, if desired, the roller 402 could be replaced by any suitablecontrolling surface on the controlling element 450 for slidable andshiftable engagement with the leg-rest 446.

At least one pivot of the polygonal link-system of the chaise loungeshown in Fig. 10 is disengageable; for example, the pivot 438 isdisengageable. If said pivot 438 is removed, the back-rest 426 may beswung independently of the seat into the position 426" limited by itsabutment against The seat 428 and the legerest 446 will be held in thesubstantially horizontal position shown in full lines in Fig. 10,

substantially in alignment with the back-rest in are swingably mountedat 405 on the top member 406 of the support 420, so that they may befolded on the top member. The legs 404 are held in the supportingposition shown in Fig. 10 by stops (not shown).

Fig. 11 illustrates a wheel chair having a support 520 provided withwheels 524 in any suitable The polygonal link-system of said wheel chaircorresponds to the polygonal linksystem shown in Fig. 1. The seat 528and the back-rest 526 are pivoted to lugs 518 of the support 520 at 530.The upper end of the guiding 'link 542 is pivoted to the top connectinglink 532 v and front connecting link 534 at 536.

The lower end of said guiding link is pivoted to a lug 580 of thesupport 520 at 544. The rear end of the top connecting link 532 ispivoted to the backrest 526 at 538, the lower end of the frontconnecting link 534 is pivoted to the seat 528 at 540. The leg-rest 546is swingably mounted on the seat One end of the controlling bar 550 ispositively H One end of a first controlling link 55! is pivoted to theother end of said controlling bar 550 at 554. The other ano es .endrofasecond controlling link. 553at 559. The other end :of 'sa-i'd second"controlling {link 53 is ,Divoted 'to' the seat528 at -the pivot' point*548 between the seat and fthe deg-"rest. The second -.controlling' link553 'isprovided with a "control- "ling surface-588 of "cam-like shape(-see 'Figs. -I1 and 12). Said controlling-surface 508 is arrangedfor-loose=contact-with the-leg-rest 546, which --may-be held' againstsa'id"controlling surface by' meansof a spring (not showrD When "theFlog-rest is "in contact with -said controlling :cam -suriace-508, themovements of the leg-rest are "controlled by the guidinglink 542 throughtheme'diu-mpfthe controlling bar 550, the controlling link -mechanism55!, 553, -andthe=controlling" surface 1 508. Thus, when-theback-rest526 is swung :about its pivot 530, the back-rest and the "seat may beswung into the -reclinedpo- 'sition-526,= 52'8',-and the leg-restwill-bebrought intothe position "5 lli' shown in dash and dot lines.

The sitting position shown infiill" lines -is limited bythestop' 501Ofthe support 520;and-the "extreme reclined position *shown in dash "anddot lines is'limited' by" the stop 566 cf the support.

'Ihe'movable members of the-chair may-be held in any'fdesired positionby means =01 the locking device 568.

If desired, the leg-rest 546 may "be =move'd independently or thesecondmontrolling link-553 relative to the *seat 528, as -the' leg rest54B 1 is in-looseengagementwith? the controlling surface "508. Forexample, the leg-rest 546 may "be brought into the -po'sition 5 l6a, 1while the other members of thewheel'chair-remain 'in the positionshowmin' full lines. -'I"heileg-rest may be held in=saidposition 546abymeans of a holding device-generally: indicated by 54 I lks best shownin FigsLlZ an'd'lS, said' holding device '5 comprises a= rod-#543:slidably arranged in a clamping :sleeve 54 5 "engagediwi'th 1a bow-54*! -inserted with its-square portion 549- into a -square aperture of-aE-lug 56h mounted on theseat 528. ,1 An:adjusti-ng knob 563isthreade'd' on: the threaded end portionxif the bolt-.541projectinghom: the clamping sleeve 2545. When :the adjusting knob "-563is loosened, the rod 543 may be displacedfor --engagementwith theleg-restin its elevated position 546a. Upon a tightening of"the-adjusting rknob 563 the clamping sleeve- 5'45 is tightened on :the:rod 1543 'for holding same and the "legrest irrits position. When themovable-members of the 'chairyareqbrought from the sitting position intoa reclined position, the leg-rest will remain in the--,adjusted-;,positionvrelative to the seat until the oontrollingcam 508of the second controlling "link 553 abuts against pthelle -rest 546,whereupon the controlling cam-508 controls the movementsof; the.legerest and-displaces same relative-to the seat.

.,F ig.,-1'7 ,illustrates a different-embodiment of a controlvof-itheleg-rest 546, which may .bessubstitutedior the leg-restcontrolgshowndnfl igs. .lhand 12. According to Eig.,,,1'7, the'firstlcontrolling link 55! pivoted at 559 :to thegsecond controllinglink 553 is provided with a cam-like controlling surface-5118c in? loosecontact with the leg-rest-pivoted to the.,seat. 528 at 548foncontrolling the movements of the leg-rest. Of :course, the leg-rest545,.may beidisengaged; from said controlling surface 508a and may beheld in a predetermined position relative to the seat 528 by the holdingdevice 5.

It is understood that certain parts, elements, or mechanisms shown in acertain figure may besubstituted for corresponding parts, elements, ormechanisms of the embodin' ents --shown *in other figures of thedrawings.

I have describe'd preferredembodiments-ofmy invention, but it isunderstood that this 'disclosure is "for the purpose of illustration,and that variousomissions-or changes in shapeyproportion, -andarrangement of parts-as well-as the substitution of equivalent elements"for those herein' 'shown' and describe'd, maybe made without departingfromthe spirit and scope of-the inventionas set forth'inthe appendedclaims.

' WhatI claim is:

' "l. An article of repose'for supporting the body of person, comprisingin-combination: a 'support, constraine'd linkage having :stationary linkmeans and a plurality of movable links,-;sai'd stationary link-meansbeing included in :said s port, said -movable "links -including "a$889.13 member, a -back-rest member, a guiding link :and a chain ofconnecting links including a" top connecting link: atone-end of the"chain and-a front connecting'link at 'the other end'of-rthe chain, "atleast one :-of said 5 connecting links being arranged :above "the planeof the .seat member, the 'lower end of :said guiding link being spiv-ote'd fto said support, the upper end-of .xsaid guiding linkbeingconnectedwith at least'rone of saidconnecting'links; :said topconnectinglink being :pivoted to an intermediate .point r'of the back restmember,ssaid front connecting link being pivoted :to the front :portion;;or esaiid; seat memberymeans pivotally connectingsatwleast one of saidback rest and seatmemberswwithwaid support, a leg rrest:swingably-mounted 1011 the ffron'txportion' of said; seat-memberzaccontrolling "memberrfixe'dly :connected to :said rguiding link, andmeansn interposed ibetween ssaid: controlling member and said leg rest,.ior effectingcmove- "mentro'fthe.lattertin-coordinatiomwith :saidcontrolling member.

:12. :In-a-n article'of repose asplaimed-in claim-.1, iartransverse:rod'journallediin said support, said guiding linkvandsaid-1controllingmember-being :r-igidly connected with, said transverserod.

:3. An articleofz reposeafor: supporting theibody of :a person,comprising inqcombination: a: ;supsport, v;a constrained linkage havingstationary l'inktmeans and :a plurality of :movable zrlinks, saidrzstati-onary :link -means being included in -saidssupport,ssaidmovable' linkssincluding 2.1 5881? 'member,;a back rest memberaguidingzlink and .a-:chai-n'ofcconnecting: linksjncludingra top :con--.-necting:linkat, one end OffthBfChfiiHfiIld?aEfIOD-t ,ccnnect-ing-lihkatathe'other-endof the chain, at--,-least one ofs-said connecting-linksbeing arnangeda above theiplane- 10f the; ,seat member; the lowerfilldzfif said guiding link: being zpivoted-to isaidssupport, the:uppersendsof: saidgg-uidi-ng link being: connected with .at leastronemf(said? connecting links, said top "connecting :link :beirgg pivoted-toanhintermediate. point of the backrest member, saidfrontconnecting link:being pivoted to the. front .portion*of= said seat memberxmeans pivotajly @connecting at least -0ne of :sa-id: back rest.:and.-. seat; members-wi,th said support, :a ,leg rest -swi-ngab lymounted: on the. front.portiomof said :seat member, 4a controlling member fixedly connected,to; said guiding, link,v and, a controlling link, i one .end portion ofsaid controlling ,li-nk being pivoted sto ssaidccontrolling member,-;the other end portion of said controlling link being pivoted to saidleg rest.

4. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 3, said controlling linkbeing of adjustable length,

11 I and means for adjusting a predetermined length of said controllinglink.

5. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprisingin combination: a support, a constrained linkage having stationary linkmeans and a plurality of movable links, said stationary link means beinincluded in said support, said movable links including a seat member,aback rest member, a guiding link and a chain of connecting linksincluding a top connecting link at one end of the chain and a frontconnecting link at the other end of the chain, at least one of saidconnecting links being arranged above the plane of the seat member, thelower end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support, the upperend of said guidin link being connected with at least one of saidconnecting links, said top connecting link being pivoted to anintermediate point of the back rest member, said front connecting linkbeing pivoted to the front portion of said seat member, means pivotallyconnecting at least one of said back rest and seat members with saidsupport, a leg rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seatmember, a controlling member fixedly connected to said guiding link, anadjusting bar swingably mounted on said controlling member, acontrolling link pivoted at one of its ends to said adjusting bar and atits other end to said leg rest, and means associated with saidcontrolling member and said adjusting bar for holding the latter in onepredetermined position relative to said a controlling member.

6, In an article of repose as claimed in claim 5, means associated withsaid adjusting bar and said controlling link for holding said adjustingbar in one predetermined position relative to said controlling link.

7. An article for repose for supporting the body of a person, comprisingin combination: a support, a constrained linkage having stationary linkmeans and a plurality of movable links, said stationary link means beingincluded in said support, said movable links including a seat member, aback rest member, a guiding link and a chain of connecting linksincluding a top connecting link at one end of the chain and a frontconnecting link at the other end of the chain, at least one of saidconnecting links being arranged above the plane of the seat member, thelower end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support, the upperend of said guiding link being connected with at least one of saidconnecting links, said top connecting link being pivoted to anintermediate point of the back rest member, said front connecting linkbeing pivoted to the front portion of said seat member, means pivotallyconnectin at least one of said back rest and seat members with saidsupport, a leg rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seatmember, a controlling member fixedly connected to said guiding link,said controlling member extending upwardly above the plane of the seat,said leg rest having an extension projecting upwardly beyond itsconnection with the seat member, and a' controlling link arranged abovethe plane of the seat member, one end portion of said controlling linkbeing pivoted to said controlling member, the other end portion of saidcontrollin 11ml:I being pivoted to said extension of the l g res 8. Anarticle of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising incombination: a support, a constrained linkage having a stationary linkmeans and a plurality of movable links, said stationary link means beingincluded in said support, said movable links including a seat member, aback rest member, a guiding link and a chain of connecting linksincluding a top connecting link at one end of the chain and a frontconnecting link at the other end of the chain, at least one of saidconnecting links being arranged above the plane of the seat member, thelower end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support, the upperend of said guiding link being connected with at least one of saidconnectin links, said top connecting link being pivoted to anintermediate point of the back rest member, said front connecting linkbeing pivoted to the front portion of said seat member, means pivotallyconnecting at least one of said back rest and seat members with saidsupport, a leg rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seatmember, a controlling member fixedly connected to said guiding link, afirst controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said controllingmember, a second controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to theother end of said first controlling link and pivoted at its other end tothe front portion of said seat member, and cooperating abutting surfacesarranged on the structure of one of said controlling links and on thestructure of said leg rest for controlling the movements of said legrest in dependence on the movement of the movable links of saidconstrained linkage, said cooperating abutting surfaces loosely abuttingagainst each other whereby said abuttin surfaces may be disengaged fromeach other for the performance of independent movements of the leg restrelative to the seat member. 9. In an article of repose as claimed inclaim 8, a holding device connected with said seat member forcooperation with said leg rest so as to hold the latter in apredetermined position relative to the seat member during disengagementof the'abutting surfaces from each other.

10. An article of repose as claimed in claim 8, wherein one of saidabutting surfaces is arranged on the' structure of said firstcontrolling link.

11. An article of repose as claimed in claim 8, wherein one of saidabutting surfaces is arranged on the structure of said secondcontrolling link.

ANTON LORENZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 268,941 Sands Dec. 12, 1882611,048 vAllen Sept. 20, 1898 712,743 Vanslyke Nov. 4, 1902 782,335Harvey Feb. 14, 1905 2,433,520 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 753,901 France Oct. 27, 1933 206,571 Great BritainNov. 5, 1923

